Local YMCA amalgamates with Sudbury

Helen Francis, YMCA Board of Directors Chair, stands with YMCA CEO Kim Kamacher with the unveiling of the new YMCA branding as both Sudbury and North Bay centres combine to become the YMCA of Northeastern Ontario. Photo by Chris Dawson.

The North Bay YMCA has merged with the YMCA of Sudbury.

The announcement came today at a press conference at the North Bay YMCA this morning.

Officials say that will not mean any jobs will be lost through this the new amalgamation.

Kim Kamacher, YMCA President and CEO believes the amalgamation will allow the YMCA to serve more of the region with two facilities working together.

“As one organization, we can gain insight into the needs across the broader region, and better focus on critical issues, such as social isolation, poverty, income inequality, and healthy child and adolescent development, by using our shared resources,” said Kamacher.

Helen Francis, the Chair of the Board of Directors, insists both boards have collaborated well in the past and will so in the future.

“This means shared resources, and collaboration between both locations, in order to better serve members,” said Francis.

Francis believes the amalgamation will also open up more opportunities for employment growth within the new YMCA of Northeastern Ontario.

“One big advantage of coming together is for our staff and our volunteers, there are many more opportunities to work both in Sudbury and in North Bay and as you see we’ve got unlimited potential to support the rest of the northeastern region as well,” Francis said.

Francis also hopes the amalgamation will allow them to gain more regional sponsorship by working closer together in order to sustain and grow the programming offered at both YMCA’s.

Officials conclude the amalgamation will allow both centres to offer the programming tailored for their respective members and any donation dollars will continue to stay in each community.